Policies & Procedures

SS8002 Drone Policy

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to establish the college’s right to manage use of its
airspace and to establish the guidelines for the operation of Unmanned Aerial System
(UAS or drones) for members of the College community. This policy applies to any/all
persons requesting or approved to operate drones within the airspace managed,
owned, and/or maintained by SUNY Broome. This policy is not applicable to Local,
State or Federal agencies.

Statement of the Policy

The operation of drones is regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The
use of drones for recreational purposes is prohibited on property owned, controlled,
and/or maintained by SUNY Broome. Use of a drone to fulfill an academic, research,
public or commercial purpose that would promote or enhance the mission of SUNY
Broome, the interested party must submit a request for review and receive approval
from Public Safety. Compliance with all applicable laws and regulations associated with
using drones and to preserve the security and privacy of the general public and the
SUNY Broome community is required. Any individual or group that violates this policy
may be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with the procedures for discipline at
SUNY Broome. When using the UAS or drone, any individual or group that violates an
applicable Local, State, and/or Federal law (i.e. trespassing, unlawful surveillance,
reckless endangerment, etc.) may be subject to arrest.

Definitions

Drones or Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS):
According to the FAA, a UAS is the unmanned aircraft and all of the associated support equipment, control station, data
links, telemetry, communications and navigation equipment necessary to operate the
unmanned aircraft. Unmanned aircraft include quadcopters, multirotors, helicopters,
drones, and fixed-wing models if these aircraft are used for any purpose other than
recreation. FAA regulations apply to UAS regardless of size or weight, however,
unmanned aircraft weighing less than 250 grams are not required to be registered with
the FAA. Model aircraft and rockets, balloons, kites, and gliders that are not “capable of
sustained flight in the air” are not regulated as unmanned aircraft, however, other FAA
regulations may apply (e.g. FAR Part 107).

Airspace: defined as the atmosphere and everything within it that is above College real property extending upward from the ground.

Operating Hours: drone use during night or twilight hours is prohibited. Drone use is allowed only during times that occur 30 minutes after the official time of sunrise and 30 minutes before the official sunset during date of use.

Action